Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Scaling and Root Planing
Care After a Deep Cleaning
What to Do Today
• Do not chew until the numbness is gone.
• Choose soft foods if the gums are sore.
• Avoid very hot, spicy, hard, or crunchy foods today.
• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.
• Use any mouth rinse or medicine exactly as directed.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
• Brush twice a day with a soft brush.
• Clean between your teeth every day.
• Warm salt water may soothe sore gums.
• Keep tobacco away from the healing gums.
Days 2-3
• Mild bleeding, tenderness, and tooth sensitivity may continue.
• The gums should slowly feel better.
• Keep cleaning gently. Do not stop because of mild bleeding.
Days 4-7
• Sensitivity and soreness should improve.
• Keep up daily brushing and cleaning between teeth.
Later Healing
• Gum healing continues for several weeks.
• Keep the recheck visit so we can measure healing.
• Periodontal maintenance visits help prevent the disease from returning.
Pain Medicine
Adult doses only. Use these medicines only if they are safe for you.
• Mild or moderate pain: Take ONE — ibuprofen up to 600 mg OR acetaminophen up to 1,000 mg.
• More pain: Take BOTH together.
• Wait at least 6 hours before the next dose. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Check all medicine labels for acetaminophen. Ask us, your doctor, or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take either medicine if a doctor has told you to avoid it.
Normal Healing
• Gum tenderness for a day or two
• Mild bleeding
• Tooth sensitivity for up to a week
• Gums that look or feel different as swelling goes down
• Slow improvement
Call Eusebio Dental
Call or text Eusebio Dental for:
• Bleeding that will not slow
• Strong or worsening pain
• Swelling that gets worse
• Fever, pus, or a strong bad smell
• A medicine reaction
• Any problem that worries you
Emergency -
Call 911
Call 911 now for:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding you cannot control
You Might Be Wondering
Why are my teeth sensitive?
Cleaning below the gumline can uncover sensitive root areas. This often improves.
Should I brush if the gums bleed?
Yes. Brush gently with a soft brush. Daily cleaning helps the gums heal.
When can I eat normally?
Eat normally when the numbness is gone and the gums feel comfortable.
Why do I need a recheck?
We need to see how the gums healed and measure the spaces around the teeth.
Helpful Tips
Why This Matters
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Lukewarm foods may feel better than very hot or cold foods.
• Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth if we recommend it.
• Keep your periodontal maintenance visits.
• Daily plaque removal helps the gums attach more firmly to the teeth.
• Tobacco slows gum healing.
• Follow-up care helps keep gum disease from coming back.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Eusebio, DMD, MBA
Last Reviewed:
July 2026
Sources:
https://www.ada.org/sitecore/content/ADA-Organization/ADA/MouthHealthy/home/all-topics-a-z/scaling-and-root-planing | https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/periodontitis
Scaling and Root Planing